Another year, another offseason filled with "the Boston Celtics need to trade Jaylen Brown" takes.
Really, ever since he was drafted into the league in 2016, it's felt like a lot of Celtics fans have not only been okay with moving on from Brown, but they've been pushing it. Whether it was Jimmy Butler, Kawhi Leonard, Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, or now Giannis Antetokounmpo, so many fans were quick to throw Brown's name in the trade machine and see what they could cook up.
That was all in spite of him being the No. 3 overall pick and having immense potential. That was in spite of him developing into an All-NBA player at 26 years old. And that was in spite of him being (in my opinion) the best player to wear a Celtics jersey during the 2022 and (maybe) the 2024 NBA Finals.
The rumors, discourse, and discussion can all run wild like Hulkamania in the '80s, but as it stands, the Celtics shouldn't trade Brown. Period.
Why the Celtics may want to trade Jaylen Brown
I will at least say this: this is the first time I sort of, kind of, somewhat understand why some Celtics fans want to trade Brown, or are at least open to it. He is eligible for a contract extension (while in the midst of what was the richest contract in NBA history when he signed it) in July, and for a team that just put so much emphasis on getting under the second apron last summer, there could be some pause for consideration.
Additionally, following Tracy McGrady's comments about the Georgia native being "deeply" frustrated with the Celtics (which is not nothing), it turned a bit sour for some fans. And assuming this is true, it could lead to his inevitable departure from Boston.
(Though, my one gripe with that one is that everybody is acting like Brown is some sort of child incapable of discussing his feelings. If he's actually upset about something, whether it be his role or whatever, he's likely going to talk it over with Brad Stevens, Jayson Tatum, and whoever else. You know, guys he's been around for about a third of his life and has gone to war with time and time again. It might not work out in the end, but I can't imagine him walking into Stevens' office and just randomly giving him a two-week notice out of frustration, Michael Scott-style.)
And, while he mostly had a successful season in Jayson Tatum's absence, he still has his flaws (too many turnovers, still has tunnel vision as a playmaker/passer, doesn't make his teammates around him better), and that could limit his ceiling as a No. 1 guy, which he seemingly wants to be at least one more time in his prime, whether in Boston or elsewhere.
Unless Brown specifically asks for a trade away from Boston and/or is noncommittal about signing a new deal this offseason, the Celtics shouldn't move on from him.
Regardless, the Celtics shouldn't trade Jaylen Brown
Because of how much he has already accomplished in Boston (five-time All-Star, about to be a two-time All-NBA selection, a one-time champion, a one-time Eastern Conference Finals MVP, dunked over a seated Kai Cenat in a Dunk Contest), it's easy to forget that Brown is not even 30 years old yet. He still has a lot of good basketball left and will be a franchise cornerstone for years to come.
Also, let's assume Brown's frustrations are true. Can you really blame him? Sure, he got the money, fame, all of that, but he also cast out immediately after joining the Celtics, was in trade rumors for years, got memed to death in 2023 for "not having a left hand" despite dealing with another left wrist injury, never had the opportunity of being the No. 1 option in his prime despite being talented enough to be, and when he finally was, he was an MVP candidate, yet people are still placing a lot of blame (a lot of it valid, to be honest) on him for the Celtics' first-round playoff collapse.
I'm not saying Brown is a perfect player, but a lot of the criticism he's had to face has been ridiculous. Despite his flaws, he is already a Celtics legend and will have his jersey number hanging up in TD Garden when it's all said and done. They don't win the 2024 championship without him, and that's not really an opinion.
And now here we are, another disappointing Boston playoff loss, and the California alum is likely headed to the rumor mill once again. But I don't care if it's for Giannis, KD, or anyone else. Brown is a certified Celtics legend who should still be elite for years to come. I don't want another Paul Pierce-Antoine Walker situation on our hands, and neither should you.
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